What is ethics?....continued

Love

The most used word in the Bible for love is the word "agape". Agape is Christian love and is the love that God has for us.

Agape indicates unconquerable benevolence, invincible goodwill, and unconditional affection. If we regard a person with agape, it means that no matter what that person does to us, no matter how he treats us, no matter if he insults us or injures us or grieves us, we will never allow bitterness against him to invade our hearts, but will regard him with that unconquerable benevolence and goodwill which will seek nothing but his highest good.

From this certain things emerge:
1. Love is not only something of the heart but also something of the will.
2. Christian love (agape) does not mean we allow people to do absolutely as they like; it is that tough love that still remains love.
3. It must be noted that Jesus laid this love (agape) down as the basis for personal relationship. 4. It is only by the grace of Jesus Christ that a man can have this love.
5. This love means we are involved in doing something for the person, we are called to pray for all men. It is impossible to pray continually for someone you hate.

Mat 22:37 Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
Mat 22:38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'
Mat 22:40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. The standards that God has set are met if we love each other. It is impossible to break any of the following commands if we love our neighbour:

Exo 20:13 You shall not murder.
Exo 20:14 You shall not commit adultery.
Exo 20:15 You shall not steal.
Exo 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.

We will not harm or hurt in any way those we love (agape).

Rom 13:9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbour as yourself."
Rom 13:10 Love does no harm to its neighbour.

Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law. But how can we love in such a way? The love that God shows and gives to us enables us to love him and other people.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

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